11:05am Thursday 18th March 2010
By Alex Hayes
TWELVE tube stations in the borough look set to have staffing levels slashed after Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced new proposals for ticket office opening hours.
Six stations on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line, Golders Green, Brent Cross, Hendon Central, Colindale, Burnt Oak, and Edgware, all face having hours cut.
Mill Hill East and West Finchley offices would close completely at weekends, while Finchley Central, High Barnet and Totteridge and Whetstone also face weekdayreductions.
Campaigners fear reducing the office hours will jeopardise passenger safety. Hendon MP Andrew Dismore has criticised Mr Johnson for breaking one of his key election promises.
He said: “He said that he would protect ticket offices and their staff, who keep the stations safe.
“I vividly remember during the mayoral election campaign the Conservatives saying that these cuts would not take place.
“What this reveals is that the Conservative administration in London has casually broken its promise on ticket office opening times, as it has broken its pledge on police officer numbers and many others.”
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